Luka Doncic Sprains Ankle vs. Suns, Will Not Return

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic left Thursday's meeting with the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter with a left ankle injury.

*UPDATE: TNT's Chris Haynes tweeted that Doncic sprained his ankle and will not return. The x-ray came back negative. 

PHOENIX -- Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic left Thursday's action against the Phoenix Suns with an apparent left ankle injury. The injury occurred in the opening minutes of the first quarter and he was taken off the court when coach Jason Kidd called a timeout. 

Luka Doncic is heading to the locker room after hurting his left ankle 🙏pic.twitter.com/IULzyJPdQP

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 27, 2023

Already down Christian Wood, the Mavericks can't afford to also lose Doncic. Even with him healthy, Dallas has struggled after losing their last seven-of-nine games heading into tonight. 

Doncic is having another great season, averaging 33.8 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.6 assists per night. To nobody's surprise, Doncic was named a starter for the West's All-Star team. 

Hopefully it's nothing serious, but the early prospects might not look great.

Here is Luka Doncic favoring that left ankle as he limped his way to the locker room:pic.twitter.com/2LqUKeeccB

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 27, 2023

Phoenix hopes to defeat Dallas tonight and finish their homestand 5-0. The Suns have been without their own star in Devin Booker, who is expected to be back at some point next week. 

The Suns have an early 30-24 lead over the Mavericks with the season series tied at 1-1. The two teams won't meet again until March 5.